I really hope that last thing isn't just a camp experiment. Malkin was pretty good on the PK in Russia before he was drafted and he's great at stripping pucks. The thought of him and 87 getting out there at the end of a kill against a tired PP is extremely interesting to me. It was also inject some much-needed aggression to a unit that sits back too much at times.

Bennett was with 71-18 during the first part of the practice, which was all drills. There wasn't really a lot to judge on to be honest. He skates well enough to keep up with them, though the first pass he got from Malkin, he completely fanned on it. That doesn't mean much though. I think he has the skill to be able to play at the NHL level now, but only if it's the right role. If he was put into a spot where he could play his offensive skill game, and just be responsible in his end, I think he could be successful. His skating is fine, his hands, vision, passing and shot are all above average, and he's very creative offensively. The thing is, that's not really the description for the top 6 opening. Ideally, the person with 71 and 18 needs to be good on the wall, able to battle for pucks and open up space. That's why Kunitz worked there.

Tangradi doesn't have the offensive talent Bennett has, but he's better on the wall and he can drive the net, occupying defensemen and opening space. Tangradi's skating isn't top end, but he's fine in a straight-line, and as long as he keeps his feet moving on the wall, he's fine there too. I don't know that he'll work out, but I think he's a better fit right now.

netwolf wrote:Tangradi doesn't have the offensive talent Bennett has, but he's better on the wall and he can drive the net, occupying defensemen and opening space. Tangradi's skating isn't top end, but he's fine in a straight-line, and as long as he keeps his feet moving on the wall, he's fine there too. I don't know that he'll work out, but I think he's a better fit right now.

Bennett's game would be better served playing alongside Crosby, I imagine. Which is why I think Tangradi has the better shot at winning that spot... he's more suited to the role. Tangradi-Malkin-Neal is not so dissimiliar from Malone-Malkin-Skyora as far as playing styles go.

I doubt they'll keep Bennett up as a 14th forward. But any injury and he'll be back. It looks like Jeffrey will start the season as the healthy scratch, but I'm hoping he displaces Kennedy.

Having this easy 12 credit schedule I was able to make it to Consol today and figured I'd chime in with my thoughts:

- as netwolf said, there wasnt much done today to judge Bennett or any forward for that matter. You can tell Bennett has the tools going through the drills but I really think tomorrow will help us better figure out where he stands (Although he did have one wrister that looked deadly and his shootout move was handsy).-Robert Bortuzzo has my vote for 6th D man spot. Despres looks great skating wise but Bortuzzo's long reach and aggressive stick really shined today. He also is a much better skater than I previously thought.-Sid and Geno were absolutely flying but that goes without saying. -Neal stayed for about a half an hour longer working from the left point on one timers as well as feeding the other point along with the two down low positions on the PP. He looks like he really wants to perfect his new role.-Not that he shined today or stuck out, but I really wish Jeffrey was given a chance with Neal and Malkin. I always wonder where he'd be at now if it werent for his knee injury.-And finally I know he has virtually no shot but I love watching Brian Strait work in practice. His work ethic is awesome and didnt mind one bit playing physical on the board drills. Him and Vitale really went at it.

Gaucho wrote:During a 1 on 1 drill down low, Eric Tangradi shook past Simon Despres, deked the heck out of Tomas Vokoun, and dumped a backhand into a mostly-empty net.

Both Despres and Vokoun suck?

I mentioned this in the other thread. It was a legit good move on both of them. I was really just there happy to be watching hockey and catching up with a friend as nothing too exciting was going on until that move happened.

Sort of. I think that hypothetical line would be about as ideal of a spot as you could get for him at this point of his career, but that spot isn't open. I think Bennett would do well there, but not well enough to move Dupuis out of it. Not now, anyway. Now if Bennett was tearing things up to the point where he was forcing his way ahead of Tangradi and Jeffrey, maybe you put him there and try Dupuis with 71-18. No way you make room for him by moving a guy coming off a career year (and currently on a 17? game scoring streak) down to the 4th line though.

I was glad to see Colligan tweet that about Jeffrey. He isn't speedy or overly physical, but he gets where he needs to be and doesn't back down from contact either. He's got a great wrist shot. If both play to their strengths, I think Tangradi is a better fit, but I'd have no problems with DJ getting a look at an increased role.